Rescuers seize 169 dogs from alleged Missaukee County puppy mill

May 24, 2013

Two Jack Russell terriers are among 169 dogs seized from a puppy mill in Lake City who were brought to the Michigan Humane Society in Rochester Hills on Friday May 24, 2013. / Mandi Wright/Detroit Free Press

Rescue workers took 169 dogs Thursday from a breeder in Missaukee County described by the Michigan Humane Society as a “puppy mill.”

Most of them were Jack Russell terriers and Shiba Inus and had been living outdoors with scant protection from the elements at two locations at JRT John’s Jack Russell and Shiba Inu Kennel in Lake City, Mich., according to the Humane Society. Many dogs had no access to fresh drinking water, the organization said.

“There were all ages, including puppies. They think there were at least four to five generations of dogs there. It’s been going on quite some time,” Nancy Gunnigle, spokesperson for the Michigan Humane Society, said.

Photos released by the Humane Society show dirty dogs confined in muddy pens.

John Jones, 63, told the Free Press he started the breeding business years ago and took good care of the dogs. He said he sold the dogs to his daughter earlier this year.

“It’s all bull. I fed my dogs every day,” Jones said of the allegations. “All my dogs went to individual families. I never sold to no pet stores or animal brokers. I was just a large breeder.”

In a news release, the Michigan Humane Society said the animals’ removal was the result of a civil action prompted by violations of state dog laws. The Michigan Humane Society and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals helped the Missaukee County Sheriff’s Office and the Roscommon County Animal Shelter with the day-long operation.

The Cadillac News reported Thursday that after Jones was served with the order for the dogs’ removal, he was arrested and taken to the county jail on an allegation of resisting and obstructing police.

Jones described the dogs as his “kids” and called the seizure illegal. He said he plans to file a lawsuit.

Dogs that needed medical exams were taken to a temporary shelter nearby. The Michigan Humane Society said it will bring about 20 dogs today to the organization’s Rochester Hills Center for Animal Care for evaluation and treatment.